Americans in Thailand can now get retirement benefits by direct deposit

Americans receiving social security, veterans or federal retirement benefits can now have them directly deposited free of charge in their Thai bank accounts, the US Embassy announced this morning.

The US Treasury Department now offers direct deposit of federal benefit payments from the Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs Department and Personnel Management Office, according to an email sent out by the embassy.

“The payments are automatically converted to Thai Baht at the international exchange rate before they are deposited in the account,” it read.

It noted that the Treasury Department charges no fees to make the deposits, Thai banks may do so. Payments cannot be made in US dollars, it said.

Qualifying recipients were instructed to contact the following agencies:

Social Security Administration
US Embassy ManilaFBU.Manila@ssa.gov
+63 2 301 2000 Ext. 98am to 11am Manila time on Tuesdays and Thursdays except on local and US holidays